Kyman to Play Football Again at Northridge

Coley Kyman has decided to return to Cal State Northridge and attempt to claim the starting quarterback position, Coach Bob Burt said.

Kyman, who is in Buffalo competing for the U.S. men’s volleyball team in the World University Games, apparently made his decision after failing to make the U.S. national A team in volleyball.

Kyman would have quit football had he won a berth on the A team to train for the 1996 Olympics. Kyman and Ken Lynch, a former Northridge teammate, won positions on the U.S. B team, which begins training July 25 in San Diego for a two-week series of scrimmages in Greece and Germany in mid-August.

However, Kyman apparently will decline the team’s invitation, choosing to return to school and football. Burt said Kyman told him in a telephone conversation that he is “coming home on the 20th”--immediately after the conclusion of competition in Buffalo. Kyman was unavailable for comment.

A three-time All-American middle blocker, Kyman has completed his collegiate eligibility in volleyball but has one season remaining in football. He has been a backup quarterback the past three seasons, appearing in six games for the Matadors and completing 20 of 45 passes for 257 yards in 1992.

Clayton Mills, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound transfer from Oregon, is expected to provide stiff competition for Kyman at quarterback.

“Coley starts out No. 1 and Mills starts out No. 2 with an opportunity to beat him out,” Burt said. “Everybody understands that.”

Northridge Notes

Jason Hughes, Northridge’s top men’s volleyball recruit, was selected a National Junior Olympics first-team All-American and was chosen most valuable player at the Junior Olympics national tournament in Kansas City. Hughes, a 6-7 opposite hitter from Royal High, led the Torrance Roof to the 18-and-under title.

Collin Smith, another Northridge recruit who is a 6-4 outside hitter from Santa Cruz, was a third-team All-American selection.

Matador recruits Mike Lees, a 6-6 outside hitter from Crespi, Brian Rivera, a 6-5 outside hitter from Venice, and Wil Welser, a 6-3 outside hitter from Buena, also competed in the tournament.

“I felt like a proud father, sitting up there watching all my recruits play,” said Northridge Coach John Price, who attended the tournament.